Branch-fitting for water-tubes and method of making same



3- E. s. CORNELL, JR 1,933,710 7 BRANCH FITTING FOR WATER TUBES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Fil d 1,, 12, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 1 l 1 LN LIIIH' Nov. 7, 1933. E. s. CORNELL, JR 1,933,710

BRANCH FITTING FOR WATER TUBES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Feb. 2, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 7, 1933 NT A OFFICE BRANCH-FITTINGFOR WATER-TUBES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Edward S. Cornell, Jr., sig'nor to The Chase Waterbury, Conn.,

Watertown, Conn., as-

Companies, Incorporated, a corporation Application February 12, 1931. Serial No. 515,312

9Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in branch-fittings for water-tubes and the like, and particularly to branch-fittings of the type commonly known as T's and crosses.

The main object of this invention is to produce a simple, convenient and reliable branchfitting of such character that the number of parts which must be manufactured, kept in stock, or transported to a given job in order to meet varied installation requirements, is reduced to a minimum.

With the above and other objects in view as will appear from the following, my invention consists in a branch-fitting for water-tubes and the like characterized by a tubular line-member and a complementary branch-member, each independently formed and assemblable together to form a branch-fitting; the said line-member being adapted to have each of its respective opposite ends telescopically engaged with a. fluid conducting tube and of a length between its two said ends sufilcient to provide an area for the formation therein of a lateral opening or port; the said branch-member having a saddle-portion adapted to fit over a portion of the outer surface of the said line-member between the respective telescopic ends thereof and provided with a tubular projection for registration with a lateral opening in the said line-member and adapted to be telescopically engaged with a branch-tube.

My invention further consists in a branch-fitting for water-tubes and the like characterized as above and having certain details of construction as will be hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in central-longitudinal section, of a double-female line-member capable of being organized with a branch-member in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a male-female linemember;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a double-female reducing line-member;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a female-to-male reducing line-member;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a male-to-female form it may assume other than those characterreducing line-member;

Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive are views partly in side elevation and partly in section of branch-members capable of being organized with line-members of the types shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive and respectively differing in the size of their tubular projections;

Fig. 11 is an end .view shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a top or plan view thereof Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of a T formed by uniting the line-member of Fig. 1 with the branch-member of Fig. 6;

Fig. 14 is a similar view of a T formed by uniting the line-member of Fig. 3 with the branchmember of Fig. 10; I

Fig. 15 is a view in vertical longitudinal section of the T shown in Fig. 13 but on a larger scale, and illustrating in addition by broken lines, the connection of fluid-conducting tubes thereto;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a view in vertical longitudinal section of the T shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 18 is a view in central longitudinal section of a cross constructed by combining the straight line-member of Fig. 1 with the branch-members of Figs. 6 and 10.

In carrying out my invention as herein shown, I employ what I shall for convenience of description designate as a line-member 20, which may assume a variety of forms such, for instance, as is shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, which for are respectively designated. 20, 20*, 20, 20 and 20, but in each instance the line-member is characterized by having its respective opposite ends adapted to be telescopically engaged with fluidconducting so-called line tubes or pipes such as of the branch-member 21 and 22 (Figs. 15 and 17). The said line-memv her is further characterized by being adapted to be provided between its said ends with a lateral opening or port 23 (shown by broken lines in Figs. 1 and 5 and by full lines in Figs. 2, 3, 4 15, 16 andl'l), with which latter the flow-passagein a branch-member is adapted to be registered as will be hereinafter described. The said lateral opening or port 23 may be provided at the time of manufacture or it may be formed on the job by the workman.

Complementing the line member, whatever ized above, I employ what I shall for convenience of description designate as a branch-member 24, which may in turn assume a variety of forms such, for instance, as those shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, which forms are respectively designated 24 24 24", 24 and 24, but in each instance the so-called branch-member is characterized by a saddle-portion 25, the under-face of which is adapted to snugly fit the periphery of the bodyportion of any one of the respective line-members referred to.

The branch-member is further characterized by being provided with a tubular projection 26 which is adapted to be registered with the lateral opening or port 23 in such line-member as may be selected for organization with it.

Preferably, the tubular projection 26 of each branch-member is provided internally with an annular stop-bead 2'? which serves to locate the end of a branch-tube 28 (Figs. 15 and 17) to prevent the same from being projected into the interior of the line-member to block the do therethrough.

The saddle-portion 25 is preferably secured to whatever line-member is chosen as its complement and the respective tubes 21, 22 and 28 are secured in place by means of solder, brazing, etc.

Let it be supposed for purpose of description, that each of the line-members shown respectively in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, has its respective opposite ends designed to telescopically engage with tubes or tube-fittings of the rated size, designated upon the respective figures referred to. Let it further be supposed that the respective branch-members shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive have their respective tubular projections 26 of a size proportioned to telescopically engage (either internally or externally) with branch-tubes or tube-fittings of the rated sizemarked upon the drawings adjacent the respective figures in question.

With the five varieties of line-members and the five varieties of branch-members referred to (ten members in all), it is possible to readily and conveniently make up any one of twenty-five Ts, as follows:

Similarly, the burden of the jobber is lightened as well as that of the plumber, especially the latter since it is unnecessary for him to transport so many parts to a given job in order to meet various installation requirements.

In the above description, I have described only branch-fittings of the type which are commonly known as T's, but as shown in Fig. 18, it will be seen that crosses may also be formed by providing the line-member with two lateral openings or ports and uniting therewith two branch-members.

The saving as regards manufacturing and stock-keeping, is even more startling as regards crosses made in accordance with my invention than it is with the Ts referred to.

Let it be assumed that each of the line-members of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive is provided (either by the manufacturer or by the workman) with two ports 23 as shown in Fig. 18. With the five linemembers referred to and the five branch-members of Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive (only ten members in all) any one of one hundred and twenty-five varieties of crosses may be made up as is apparent from the law of permutation.

female x 1" female 1: 54 female. 1" female x 1 female x M, female-.. 1" female 1: 1" female x $5" female...

1" female x 1" female 1: a" female.-. 1 female x 1" female 2: 1" female-..

Formed respectively by uniting the line-member of Fig. l with the branch-members of Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive.

1" male x 1 female x female..... 1' male I 1" female x female"... 1" male x 1" female x V f'emale..-.. 1" male 1: 1" female 1: female--- 1 male x 1" female x 1" female 1 female x female x 34 female 1" female x y female x female 1 female x V female in -iemale.. 1" female 2: V female x female" 1 female x V female x 1 female... 1" male x 1% female x female... 1 male x 1 female x female... 1 male x 1% female x female... 1 male 1: 1 female x A female... 1" male x 1% female x 1" female... 1 male x female x female... 1 male 1: female x female... 1 male x female )1 female 1" male x female 1: A female... 1 male x female x 1 female From the foregoing, it will be seen that by means of my invention, I have lightened the burden of the manufacturer by making it necessary for him' to manufacture and keep in stock but a relatively few varieties of parts in order to meet the requirements of any one of a greater number of installation requirements than is represented individually by the number of parts themselves. By way of example, it may be stated that heretofore in order to be prepared to meet the requirements for fittings of the character listed in the table given above, it has been necessary for the manufacturer to make and stock twentyfive Ts, each of which would necessarily weigh more and take up more space than the ten mem- Formed respectively by uniting the line-member of Fig. 2 with the branch-members of Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive.

Formed respectively by uniting the line-member of Fig. 3 with the branch-members of Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive.

Formed respectively by uniting the line-member of Fig. 4 with the branch-members of Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive.

Formed respectively by uniting the line-member of Fig. 5 with the branch-members of Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive.

bers above listed from which any one of the twenty-five different requirements can be; met as described.

I claim:

1. The method of forming metal branch-fittings fortube installations, of different sizecombinations of tube-engaging openings, comprising providing a plurality of tubular line-members each having two tube-engaging end-openings formed to telescopically engage and be joined to tubes by soldering or the like and a saddlereceiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and a lateral port in each said saddle-receiving portion; the said tube-engaging openings of the line-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-receiving portions being of a single size; providing a plurality of tubular branch-members, each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end formed to telescopically engage and be joined to a tube by soldering or the like and a saddle-portion at its opposite end; the said tube-engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-portions being preformed independently of the line-members and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the saddle-receiving portions of the said linemembers over areas surrounding the said lateral ports; and selectively assembling branch-members with line-members to form branch-fittings of desired combinations of tube-engaging sizes with the saddle-portion of each selected branchmember fitted to the saddle-receiving portion of a line-member over an area surrounding the lateral port, and joining the saddle-portions to the line-members by soldering or the like.

2. The method of forming metal branch-fittings for tube installations, of different size-combinations of tube-engaging openings, comprising: providing a plurality of tubular line-members each having two tube-engaging end-openings and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and a lateral port in each said saddle-receiving portion; the said tube-engaging openings of the line-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle- LSC receiving portions being of asingle size; providing a plurality of tubular of which has a tube-eng n opening at one end and a saddle-portionif ft s opposite end; the said tube-engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but ang aging openings,

the saddle-portions being preformed independently of the line-members and similar to each other to interchangeably iitthe saddle-receiving portions of the said line-members over areas surrounding the said lateral ports; and selectively assembling branch-members with line-members to form branch-fittings of desired combinations of tube-engaging sizes with the saddle-portion of each selected branch'member fittedto the saddle-receiving portion of a line-member over an area surrounding the lateral port, and joining the saddle-portions to the line-members by soldering or the like.

3. The method of forming a metal branch-fitting for tube installations, of any desired one of a number of difierent size-combinations of tube-engaging openings, comprising: providing a tubular line-member having two tube-engaging end-openings formed to'telescopically engage and be joined to tubes by soldering or the like and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-=openings and a lateral port in said saddle-receiving portion; providing a plurality of tubular branch-members, each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end formed to telescopically engage and be joined to a tube by soldering or the like and a saddle-portion at its opposite end; the said tube-engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of" tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-portions beingpreformed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port; and selectively assembling one of the branch-members with the line-member to form a. branch-fitting of a desired combination of tube-engaging sizes with the saddle-portion of the selected branch-member fitted to the saddle-receiving portion of the line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port, and joining the saddle-portion to the saddle-receiving portion by soldering or the like.

4. The method of forming a metal branch-fitting for tube installations, of any desired one of a number of different size-combinations of tubeengaging openings, comprising: providing a tubular line-member having two tube-engaging endopenings and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and a lateral port in said saddle-receiving portion; providing a plurality of tubular branch-members, each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end and a saddle-portion at its opposite end; the said tubeengaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-portions being preformed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port; and selectively assembling one of the branch-members with the line-member to form a branch-fitting of a desired combination of tube-engaging sizes with the saddle-portion of the selected branchmember fitted -to the saddle-receiving portion of the line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port, and joining the saddle-portion branch-members, each 11k to the saddle-receiving portion by soldering or the 5, Means for forming a metal branch-fitting for' tube installations, of any desired one of a number of difierent size-combinations of tubecomprising: a tubular linemember having two tube-engaging end-openings formed to telescopically engage and be joined to tubes by soldering or the like and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and adapted to be provided with a lateral port and designed and adapted to receive anyone of a plurality of tubular branch-members, each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end formed to telescopically engage and be joined to a tube by soldering or the like and a saddle-portion at its opposite end, and an annular limit shoulder intermediate the ends of the branchmember formed to engage and limit the telescopic engagement of thetube-engaging opening and tube; the said tube-engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tubeengaging sizes but the saddle-portions being pre-- formed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port and to be joined thereto by soldering or the like.

6. Means for forming a metal branch-fitting for tube installations, of any desired one of a number of different size-combinations of tubeengaging openings, comprising: a tubular linemember having two tube-engaging end-openings formed to telescopically engage and be joined to tubes by soldering or the like and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and adapted to be provided with a lateral port and designed and adapted to receive any one of a plurality of tubular branch-members each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end formed to telescopically engage and'be joined to a tube by soldering or the like and a saddle-portion at its opposite end; the said tube-- engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-portions being preformed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably lit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port and to be joined thereto by soldering or the like.

7. Means for forming a metal branch-fitting for tube installations, of any desired one of a number of different size-combinations of tubeengaging openings, comprising: a tubular linemember having two tube-engaging end-openings and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and provided with a lateral port and designed and adapted to receive any one of a plurality of tubular branch-members, each of which has a tubeengaging opening at one end and a saddle-portion at its opposite end; the said tube-engaging openings of the branchmembers comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-portions being preformed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line member over an area surrounding the said later- 111 port and to be joined thereto by soldering or the like.

8. Means for forming a metal branch-fitting for tube installations, of any desired one of a number of different size-combinations of tubeengaging openings, comprising: a tubular linemember having two tube-engaging end-openings and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and adapted to be provided with a lateral port and designed and adapted to receive any one of a plurality of tubular branchmembers, each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end and a saddle-portion at its opposite end, the said tube-engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tubeengaging sizes but the saddle-portions being of the same size and preformed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port and tobe joined thereto by soldering or the like.

9. Means for forming a metal branch-fitting for tube installations, of any desired one of a CERTIFICATE Patent No. 1,933,710.

EDWARD S.

number of difierent size-combinations of tubeengaging openings, comprising: a tubular linemember having two tube-engaging end-openings and a saddle-receiving portion intermediate the said end-openings and adapted to be provided with a lateral port and designed and adapted to receive any one of a plurality of tubular branchmembers, each of which has a tube-engaging opening at one end and a saddle-portion at its opposite end; the said tube-engaging openings of the branch-members comprising a plurality of tube-engaging sizes but the saddle-portions being preformed independently of the line-member and similar to each other to interchangeably fit the intermediate saddle-receiving portion of the said line-member over an area surrounding the said lateral port and to be joined thereto by soldering or the like.

EDWARD S. CORNELL, JR.

0F CORRECTION.

November 7, 1933.

coRIiELL, JR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 46, beginning with the word "Similarly" strike out all to and including "permutation." inline 71, and insert the same to follow line 107, on same page; and that the said Lettei's Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

- Signed and sealed this 11th day of September, A. D. 1934.

(Seal) 

